Skip to content
Search Classifications
Search for IPC and CPC classification codes or keywords
CPC Main Group
B41L 27/00

Inking arrangements or devices (inking units for stencilling apparatus B41L13/18; applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces, in general B05)

Filing statistics

CPC B41L 27/00 belongs to the parent subclass B41L, which recorded 534 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings declined from 54 in 2013 to 20 in 2023 (-63%), peaking at 86 applications in 2017. The most active applicants in class B41 are SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION (8,446 applications), SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION (8,438 applications) and HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY (7,828 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings

10 direct subcodes

Child Classifications

Navigate with arrow keys, Enter to open

  • B41L 27/02 adapted for inking by hand
  • B41L 27/18 Continuous, e.g. endless-band apparatus
  • B41L 27/20 for inking selected parts of printing formes
  • B41L 27/22 Ink removing or collecting devices
  • B41L 27/24 for inking from interior of cylinder
  • B41L 27/26 Absorbent pads
  • B41L 27/28 Construction of inking rollers
  • B41L 27/30 Spray apparatus

Top Applicants

Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class B41, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT

  1. SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION 8,446
  2. SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION JP 8,438
  3. HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY US 7,828
  4. CANON JP 5,419
  5. CANON 4,156
  6. BROTHER INDUSTRIES JP 3,763
  7. BROTHER INDUSTRIES 2,779
  8. RICOH COMPANY JP 2,717
  9. FUJIFILM JP 2,423
  10. RICOH COMPANY 1,739